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I came in for gynecomastia surgery and was treated with exceptional professionalism and care. Everything went extremely smooth and there were no complications. Everything the doctor said was true. I am very happy with the results and feel much better about myself.
I came in to see about getting my chest area reduced because of excessive fat!. This is something I have had my entire life and if has affected me personally. The doctor and staff are incredibly sympathetic, understanding and friendly. I could not have felt more comfortable with the doctor and staff. I am 100% satisfied with the results. I feel more confident and relaxed now in the type of clothing I wear.
Words just cannot convey the depth of my gratitude. I now feel like walking without any shirt on in order to show off my six-pack abdomen…
Gynecomastia Treatment – Before And After Pictures
See The Results Of What Gynecomastia Surgery Can Do For You…
Gynecomastia Treatment – Our surgeons have performed thousands of surgeries at our AAAHC accredited gynecomastia surgery centers in New York. And it’s not surprising why when you see the results…
The most commonly asked question we get from our gynecomastia surgery patients is “Will I be happy with the surgery results?” …and the answer is always a confident, “Absolutely!”
Even with some post-surgical swelling, patients are still amazed to see the huge impact the surgery makes on their appearance! Just look at the images below.
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FAQ Male Breast Reduction – Your Questions Answered
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1. What is gynecomastia and how do I determine if I have it?
Gynecomastia is a medical word from the Greek language that means “woman-like-breasts”. It affects one out of every ten men as well as a number of adolescents. In general, any excess tissue on a male chest can be defined as gynecomastia. Enlarged breasts on young boys last only a few years and generally resolve spontaneously.
There is no known cause of gynecomastia although, depending upon the proportion of fat and gland tissue in the breast may be associated with obesity, hormonal metabolism imbalance, liver disease or medicinal causes including use of anabolic steroids (as seen in some bodybuilders), use of marijuana, side effects of various medications, etc. There could also be a strong hereditary component as well.
2. What is the cost of gynecomastia surgery?
The cost of gynecomastia surgery is always a very important factor when considering treatment. However, the quality of the work is more important than the cost of the procedure. In most cases, a surgeon’s expertise and experience goes hand in hand with price of the procedure. Thus in most cases, an expert surgeon who consistently achieves outstanding results will tend to charge more for the procedure, thus making it more difficult for a lot of people to afford him or her.
At Advanced Cosmetic Surgery of New York, we have a different approach: We combine quality work by highly experienced and very dedicated surgeons with highly competitive and affordable pricing. Our gynecomastia surgery prices are highly competitive and affordable with additional promotional discounts from time to time during the year.
The final price varies from patient to patient and depends on several factors such as how large the gland is and if there is extension into the armpit (lateral chest wall) as well as if the breast is hanging or not. The best way to get accurate pricing is to book a free consultation.
3. Will my health insurance pay for gynecomastia surgery?
Most insurance companies categorize gynecomastia surgery as a “purely cosmetic procedure” and therefore will not pay for it. Some insurance companies, however, will provide limited coverage for gynecomastia surgery, but have such demanding requirements for coverage that it is virtually impossible for the average guy to qualify.
As a general principle, our office does not accept insurance coverage as payment for gynecomastia surgery.
4. I’m a body builder. When can I return to weightlifting after surgery?
You can start mild aerobic exercises slowly as tolerated starting a day after surgery. However, strenuous exercise including weight lifting and push-ups or chest exercises should be deferred for at least four weeks after surgery. Strenuous exercise soon after surgery may result in increased swelling as a result of a rise in blood pressure.
Excessive swelling in the post-surgery tissues increases the risks of opening a blood vessel under the skin that had been sealed during surgery – and may lead to bleeding and the possible formation of a hematoma. Take it easy and know that the wait will be worth it once you have 100% solid post-surgical tissues that have been allowed to heal properly.
5. What methods are used to treat gynecomastia?
The only effective and recommended method of treatment of gynecomastia is the surgical method. During the procedure you will be put under anesthesia (usually local anesthesia). Then if the enlarged breasts are primarily resulting from excess fatty tissue, laser liposuction alone may be able to create the desired effect.
Laser liposuction of the male breast is performed under local anesthesia (you will be awake) on an outpatient basis at our accredited facilities. There is minimal swelling and bruising as well as minimal downtime. The surgery can take from 2 to 3 hours depending on the complexity of the procedure.
The procedure involves insertion of a tiny laser fiber through a tiny incision into the breast to melt fat. Then a straw-like cannula is inserted to suction out the fat and gland tissue using a vacuum suction system. The result is a re-sculpting of bulging breasts into more attractive contours.
In some cases, we will combine laser liposuction with surgical excision of residual gland if your male breast has more glandular tissue in it.
A small incision is placed at the edge of the areola (colored part of the nipple) to cut away the excess glandular tissue. In extreme cases of gynecomastia with excessive skin laxity, excess skin may also have to be excised.
Post-operatively, a compression dressing is applied to minimize swelling and discoloration. The recovery time is minimal and the results will be revealed in the weeks and months that follow as you continue to heal and the swelling goes down.
6. Can supplements or creams cure gynecomastia?
Surgical treatment (male breast reduction surgery) is the only known, effective, recognized and recommended method for treatment of gynecomastia. “Other methods of treatment” including creams, lotions, massage, injections, exercise and “magic pills” cannot treat an established gynecomastia.
7. Can gynecomastia be treated with diet and exercise?
Diet and exercise are always good for your health but unfortunately, neither will help treat your gynecomastia.
Obesity leads to the development of excess fat and breast tissue on the chest of a man. When one loses a significant amount of weight, the fat component will somehow shrink but the breast tissue will remain unchanged. So even though the breast will become a little smaller (because of loss of fat tissue), the breast tissue will persist and even become more compact and prominent until it has been surgically removed.
Exercise may lead to the development of prominent chest muscles but since the excess breast tissue (gynecomastia) sits on top of the muscle, it is pushed further out as the muscle enlarges and therefore continues to mask the muscle contour until the glands are surgically removed.
8. What is the best time or best age to go for gynecomastia surgery?
There is no best time or best age to perform gynecomastia surgery. Even though one should give adequate time for the condition to resolve by itself (since enlarged breasts on young boys only last a few years and generally resolves spontaneously), if gynecomastia has been present and stable for at least two years, then surgery may be considered. Surgery may also be considered at any time if the condition has severe psychological stress on the child. Surgery has been successfully performed on several of our young male patients between the ages of 12 and 18.
On the other side of the spectrum, older men with gynecomastia are also good candidates for surgery. However, they have to understand that the older you are, the less likely your skin will retract or tighten after surgery since they may have lost some elasticity in their skin through the natural process of aging.
9. Does race or ethnicity affect the incidence of Gynecomastia?
No. Gynecomastia is color blind and does not differentiate between race or ethnic groups.
10. Is weight loss advised prior to gynecomastia surgery?
Weight loss is always a good thing to consider when you are obese. However, an unhealthy crash diet which leads to excessive amounts of weight loss within a short period of time is definitely not advised.
If you plan on losing a substantial amount of weight, then we suggest surgery be deferred until the weight is lost and you are stable at the new weight. At that time, we will re-evaluate your condition and determine which method of surgery will be required for your new shape.
11. Will smoking affect my surgery results?
Smoking will result in an accumulation of nicotine in your body that has negative effects on almost all of the organs in your body. Nicotine causes tightening of the small blood vessels of your body thus reducing blood flow to the surgical site leading to poor wound healing (since good blood flow is essential for proper wound healing). We strongly recommend that you quit smoking two weeks before surgery and continue to be smoke-free after surgery.
12. Does gynecomastia mean I am at a higher risk of male breast cancer?
No. Gynecomastia is not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Several scientific studies have confirmed that there is no increased risk of male breast cancer in men with gynecomastia. However, it is important to note that even though it is very rare (especially in young men), breast cancers do occur in men.
As a result, any new lump, one-sided (unilateral or asymmetry of the breast) growth, skin changes of the breast or nipple, or bloody nipple discharge should be immediately and thoroughly investigated by a physician prior to surgery. A biopsy, a mammogram or an ultrasound examination may be required before surgery.
13. What is male breast cancer?
Male breast cancer (MBC) usually occurs in older men in their mid-sixties. About one percent of all breast cancers do occur in men. Jewish men have a slightly increased risk, which is thought to be due to hereditary factors. Risk factors for MBC include positive family history, lifestyle, occupation, etc.
Some genetic mutations have also been linked to hereditary forms of MBC. Some conditions that may predispose someone to MBC include Klinefelter’s Syndrome, Cowden’s Syndrome and liver disease.
Occupational hazards include exposure to hot environments (i.e. steel mills and blast furnaces), work in the soap or perfume industry as well as exposure to petroleum and exhaust fumes.
The diagnosis of MBC usually involves the discovery of a one-sided, painless lump or mass under the nipple or areola. Skin changes (orange peel-like skin) and or bloody nipple discharge can also be a tip-off. Any of these symptoms could be a warning sign for MBC and therefore a doctor should be consulted immediately.
14. What are the risks and complications of gynecomastia surgery?
Gynecomastia surgery is very safe surgical procedure, especially because we perform it under local anesthesia. The operation is conducted just under the skin and not into any body cavity, such as the chest or the abdomen. However, as in any surgery, complications can arise. Fortunately, the possible complications are treatable and non life-threatening.
Potential risks and complications include the following:
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[li]Bleeding/Seroma: Minor bleeding can occur during surgery but it is stopped by the surgeon before the operation is completed. Rarely after surgery, a tiny blood vessel may open up and bleed – this is called a hematoma. This may happen within hours, days or even a week or two afterwards. Sometimes it is associated with a patient being non-compliant with the post-op instructions – and sometimes there is no explanation. Should bleeding occur, we should be notified and the patient will be asked to return ASAP for evaluation. Small amounts of bleeding may just be observed. Large collections of blood (which is very rare) may require a brief return trip to the procedure room to remove the blood. A seroma is a collection of clear, yellowish fluid, which may also occur after surgery. These are usually removed by syringe aspiration.[/li] [li]Infection: Infection is exceedingly rare. Gynecomastia surgery is clean surgery and antibiotics are routinely used for prevention. Should it occur, appropriate medical care will take care of it.[/li] [li]Irregular Contours: Irregular contours, including the “crater” deformity (in which too much tissue is removed directly below the areola), are best treated by recognition and prevention. Our philosophy is to spend whatever time is needed in the procedure room so that the chest contours at the end of surgery are as natural and consistent as possible. Irregular contours after surgery rarely improve spontaneously and may require revision surgery. Our revision rate is near zero.[/li] [li]Other Minor and Rare Complications: loss of nipple sensation, skin discoloration, scarring, asymmetrical breasts or nipples.[/li]
Patients can minimize these risks by choosing an experienced surgeon to perform their procedure and by strictly adhering to our instructions before and after surgery.
15. Which drugs or medications may be associated with gynecomastia?
Many drugs and medications may be associated with gynecomastia as a side effect, so if you are taking any medications, please search for any potential gynecomastia-like side effects online.
Some illicit drugs such as marijuana, heroin and bodybuilding steroids can also produce gynecomastia. It may also occur while taking seemingly harmless “supplements”, some of which may have hormone–like qualities.
In some cases, once the medication is discontinued, gynecomastia may shrink. Unfortunately, once the gynecomastia is present and established, it usually will remain unless gynecomastia surgery is performed.
16. If I gain weight will my gynecomastia come back?
Gynecomastia surgery will remove much but not all of the breast tissue completely. However, the small amount of breast tissue left behind will not re-grow (much as a woman’s breast will not re-grow after a mastectomy for breast cancer).
Should you gain substantial weight after surgery, then some amount of fat will return to the chest but it will also be distributed over other parts of the body so that you will not regain the specific enlargement on the chest that you had prior to surgery. Conversely, if you lose weight after gynecomastia surgery, the results of the surgery will be enhanced.
17. Should I massage my chest after surgery?
We always instruct patients not to massage the chest unless directed by us. Massage can actually cause more swelling. Massage may be beneficial after about a month or two post-op. We will tell you when and how to massage if we feel it would be helpful.
18. What happens to the tissue and fluid taken out during gynecomastia surgery?
When gynecomastia is treated with laser liposuction, the aspirated tissues are physically destroyed and then carefully disposed as “medical waste.”
When solid tissue is removed through a peri-areolar incision, some of that tissue is sent to a laboratory for pathological examination (as required by New York State law). The rest of the tissue is then disposed of as “medical waste.”
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